Episode Summary
Xiao Qianqing grows suspicious of Bai Chifan's connection to Ling Cangcang, leading to a tense confrontation disguised as a sword fight. Ling Cangcang's master warns her against Bai Chifan, but after an assassination attempt where Bai Chifan is gravely injured saving her, she learns he gave her his only antidote for a fatal poison. This revelation solidifies her trust in him, and their relationship deepens. They end the episode going undercover as a couple to investigate a medicine seller.
Spoiler Alert
A Royal Showdown
The Tense Dinner
So, we're back at the Fenglai Pavilion. Xiao Qianqing is watching his brother, Bai Chifan, like a hawk. He can tell something is up. He knows his brother doesn't do anything without a reason. The fact that he's hanging around this place and defending Ling Cangcang is a huge red flag. He starts to suspect Ling Cangcang's true identity.
Ling Cangcang, meanwhile, is just trying to eat. She's finally got a decent meal in front of her. She's completely oblivious to the royal drama unfolding around her plate.
Xiao Qianqing decides to poke the bear. He wants to annoy his brother. He announces that he's fallen for Ling Cangcang and wants to form a partnership with her. Ling Cangcang isn't buying his act for a second. She tells him if he's so smitten, he should focus his attention on her deputy, Zhong Lin. After all, Zhong Lin was the one who gave him that terrible bird tattoo. This reminds Xiao Qianqing of the clumsy girl and the trouble it caused him.
A "Dance" with Swords
Not done yet, Xiao Qianqing challenges Bai Chifan to perform a sword dance. He fully expects his brother to refuse. But Bai Chifan agrees. He does it to protect Ling Cangcang and keep the peace.
Xiao Qianqing doesn't just watch, though. He grabs his own sword and joins in. The "dance" quickly turns into a real fight. They aren't holding back. The moves are dangerous, and Ling Cangcang notices things are getting way too intense. Bai Chifan even slices up Xiao Qianqing's clothes.
Bai Chifan thinks his brother is lashing out. He believes Xiao Qianqing knows that he's discovered the dirty dealings happening in his territory. But when Bai Chifan brings it up, Xiao Qianqing seems genuinely confused.
Shifting Alliances and Growing Doubts
Ling Cangcang's Apology
Elsewhere, we check in on Luo Xianxue. He's badly hurt but wakes up worried about Ling Cangcang. He only relaxes when a masked man tells him she's safe.
Back with Bai Chifan, his aide Shi Yan finds something odd. Bai Chifan's cold poison is acting up. This shouldn't be happening. State Preceptor Du already created a medicine to suppress it. Bai Chifan then admits the truth. He gave his medicine to Ling Cangcang.
Bai Chifan tells Shi Yan to help build up the Fenglai Pavilion's strength. Later, Ling Cangcang realizes how much Bai Chifan has helped her. He saved her life. She feels terrible for ever doubting him and apologizes. She even swears she'll always be good to him from now on. This sudden change doesn't go unnoticed. Zhong Lin sees their relationship improving at lightning speed. She gets worried when Ling Cangcang makes Bai Chifan a hall master and trusts all the new people he brings in. Ling Cangcang just says her trust in him is absolute.
A Master's Warning
Just as things are looking up, Ling Cangcang gets a warning from her master. He tells her that Bai Chifan's identity is fake. He says his motives are questionable and she needs to keep her distance. This puts Ling Cangcang in a tough spot. She trusts her master completely, but her gut is starting to trust Bai Chifan, too.
She decides to test him. They're drinking together, and she brings up wine from her supposed hometown to see how he reacts. He sees right through it. He gets angry that she still doubts him and tells her to just say what's on her mind. They both admit they have secrets. But Bai Chifan makes a promise. He says he will never, ever hurt her. He tells her that time reveals a person's true character.
An Attack Changes Everything
The Assassins Arrive
Right after he says that, a group of masked assassins attacks them. It's a brutal fight. Bai Chifan shields Ling Cangcang from the worst of it. He gets seriously injured protecting her.
The Truth About the Poison
The doctor gives Ling Cangcang the bad news. Bai Chifan has a "cold poison" that has seeped deep into his body. It's fatal. That's when it all clicks for Ling Cangcang. She finally understands. When she was injured, he gave her his one and only dose of the antidote.
She now believes her master was wrong about him. Bai Chifan isn't the person her master described. While she's tending to him, he pulls her close, and she accidentally kisses him.
Across town, Luo Xianxue is getting restless. He thinks Ling Cangcang is too naive and will be used by someone with bad intentions. He wants to go back to her side. But Ling Cangcang's master tells him to stay put. He needs to focus on the bigger picture and maintain stability where he is.
Undercover Shenanigans
A New Mission
Xiao Qianqing is furious. He's confirmed the corruption in his own territory that Bai Chifan hinted at. He orders his men to investigate immediately.
With Bai Chifan recovering, Ling Cangcang's attitude toward him totally changes. She's clearly developing feelings, and he notices she's like a different person around him. Their next mission sends them undercover to a flower boat to investigate a medicine seller named Lu Haitang. They have to pretend to be a married couple.
The people on the boat misunderstand why they're there. They assume Bai Chifan has come to buy medicine for a certain... personal problem. To keep their cover, Ling Cangcang plays the part of the disgusted wife. She complains about his "inadequacy" and makes him spend a fortune on Lu Haitang's medicine.
